Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s administration in Baltimore, MD, has sealed an $18 million agreement to repurpose two hotels into shelters, Sleep Inn & Suites Downtown Inner Harbor and Holiday Inn Express Baltimore-Downtown, into shelters for the city’s unhoused. This move signifies a significant step in fulfilling Scott’s commitment to address homelessness, a pledge made three years ago.
Deal Details and Transformation Efforts Converting Hotels into Shelters
Sleep Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express will be revamped to offer shelter and support for Baltimore’s unhoused, aiming to alleviate housing insecurity in the city.
The acquisition encompasses 62 rooms at Sleep Inn & Suites and 90 beds within 68 rooms at Holiday Inn Express, though falling short of the desired number of rooms to accommodate 600 residents.
Despite a slight decrease in homelessness in Baltimore in 2023, national figures saw a 12% increase, highlighting the urgency of tackling housing insecurity. Eviction rates in Maryland have also been climbing since 2023, per state judiciary data.
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Emphasis on Long-Term Solutions and Approval Process of Converting Hotels into Shelters
Baltimore homelessness officials stress the importance of transitioning from temporary shelters to sustainable housing solutions, prioritizing quality and safety.
Jeff Garrett, chair of Baltimore’s Continuum of Care board, underscores the necessity of addressing homelessness with long-term strategies beyond mere shelter provision.